Large numbers of camels live and travel around the
Simpson Desert and western desert areas. A lot of this
country is Aboriginal land.
Camels travel across large areas of land usually
following natural drainage lines. Scientists have
tracked camels and found that they can travel long
distances, up to 400km. Camels searching for food
can travel up to 70km a day. In good seasons camels
get most of the water they need from the plants they
eat. If the plants are dry the camels need to drink
every 2 or 3 days.
In dry seasons camels usually travel less and stay close
to both natural and man-made water sources including
waterholes, salt pans, bores and cattle troughs.
Parks and Wildlife rangers and scientists have been
counting wild camels and have found that...
Camel distribution
Camel numbers are increasing!
♦
In 1990 there were around 30,000 camels living in
the Northern Territory.
♦
By 2001 there were more than 200,000 wild camels
in the Northern Territory.
Scientists estimate that camel numbers are doubling
every 8 years! By 2009 there could be a million wild
camels in Australia.
Distribution Map
Map: Central Australian Camel Industry Association Inc
To stop the numbers of camels increasing like this,
at least 10% of the total camel population needs
to be wild-harvested, sold or culled every year. On
current figures that is at least 20,000 camels every
year in the Northern Territory.
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